Team lets him down countless times in his best year since his comeback. He has at least matched Rosberg or even shown to be better than him over the year. And now he seems forced out of the team. What the hell has been going on behind the scenes?

Schumacher pissed off over the incompetence and Merc disappointed Schumacher wasn't able to perform miracles?

He would not leave himself waiting. He already hinted that there are a lot of teams interested in him.

You are right something is strange here. He knows Mercedes is try to settle a deal with Hamilton. Why should he wait to announce his retirement so late that he is risking an unofficial announcement through McLaren or Sauber.

Michael Schumacher“I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal - MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS “On behalf of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael.

“Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. The arrival of a driver of Lewis’ calibre is a testament to the standing of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One and I am proud that Lewis shares our vision and ambition for the success of the Silver Arrows. I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.

Norbert Haug, Vice President - Mercedes-Benz Motorsport“Of course, it takes a great driver to replace such a legendary and successful one as Michael Schumacher. Over the past three years, Michael has been a great driver and an exemplary ambassador for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. His experience has been an important factor in guiding the development of our team in Brackley and we extend our sincere thanks to Michael for his loyalty, team play and commitment. We will be working very hard together in order to achieve the best possible results in the remainder of the 2012 season.

Mercedes simply had to jump on Hamilton if they are serious about F1. Michael has actually done well this season, but at 43 there is no point in letting a bit named star go for Michael anymore. Personally I think Michael's only option is Sauber, and in a way that could make some sense. Peter wants to retire and needs investment to keep the team going. Michael could bring investment from himself or through sponsors, remember his name still holds weight with sponsors. However personally I think he should get out and go skydiving.

The departure from Mercedes came for Schumacher still as a surprise. The seven-time world champion had not thought clearly about switching to another team. When asked if Schumacher is interested to continue his career with another racing team, his manager Sabine Kehm said on Friday: "This is now a non-issue."

Mercedes simply had to jump on Hamilton if they are serious about F1. Michael has actually done well this season, but at 43 there is no point in letting a bit named star go for Michael anymore. Personally I think Michael's only option is Sauber, and in a way that could make some sense. Peter wants to retire and needs investment to keep the team going. Michael could bring investment from himself or through sponsors, remember his name still holds weight with sponsors. However personally I think he should get out and go skydiving.

You're right. It makes way more sense to hire a big name star who costs more to sit in your crapwagons after you sack the best performing driver.

The departure from Mercedes came for Schumacher still as a surprise. The seven-time world champion had not thought clearly about switching to another team. When asked if Schumacher is interested to continue his career with another racing team, his manager Sabine Kehm said on Friday: "This is now a non-issue."

sounds really bad. what happened behind the scenes? There must have been a big blow up

The departure from Mercedes came for Schumacher still as a surprise. The seven-time world champion had not thought clearly about switching to another team. When asked if Schumacher is interested to continue his career with another racing team, his manager Sabine Kehm said on Friday: "This is now a non-issue."

Ferrari has not spoken about their 2nd driver yet. One year with MSC and getting him back as an ambassador for Ferrari shopuld look interesting. At least it doies not sound as if Michael will take a management role with Mercedes, as they would have anounced this already.

Even Sauber-Ferrari for a year would work and go back to Ferrari as an ambassador after that.

I think Mercedes were right to go for Hamilton. But it seems they didn't handle Michael's situation very well and I can't see him wanting to stay as their ambassador... Please race for another year Michael, Sauber wants you and I'm sure if you wanted to Ferrari will take you back for a year! I thought it was a mistake to end his association with Ferrari for Mercedes, despite being pleased he was coming back.

Either way, he'd go to the team he was meant to go to 20 years ago, or the team which delivered the majority of his success.

Michael Schumacher“I have had three nice years with the team which unfortunately did not go as well as we all would have wanted on the sporting side. I wish Lewis well and for the team to achieve the success we worked so hard for in the build-up. I would like to thank the team for their trust and all the guys for their unconditional commitment. I will now concentrate on the next races.”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal - MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS “On behalf of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, I would first of all like to thank Michael Schumacher for the important contribution he has made to the growth of our team over the past three seasons. His energy and commitment have never wavered, even when results have not matched our own expectations, and we are determined to finish the 2012 season together on a high. As always, it has been a pleasure to work with Michael.

“Looking ahead to 2013, I am delighted to welcome Lewis Hamilton to our team. The arrival of a driver of Lewis’ calibre is a testament to the standing of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One and I am proud that Lewis shares our vision and ambition for the success of the Silver Arrows. I believe that the combination of Lewis and Nico will be the most dynamic and exciting pairing on the grid next year, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve together.

Norbert Haug, Vice President - Mercedes-Benz Motorsport“Of course, it takes a great driver to replace such a legendary and successful one as Michael Schumacher. Over the past three years, Michael has been a great driver and an exemplary ambassador for MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS. His experience has been an important factor in guiding the development of our team in Brackley and we extend our sincere thanks to Michael for his loyalty, team play and commitment. We will be working very hard together in order to achieve the best possible results in the remainder of the 2012 season.

Guy running Force India, however you spell his name V... M..., is pretty stuffed financially. Force India is in a relationship with Mercedes already. Surely they pull strings and get him sitting there in 2013. Schumacher may even buy part of the team to give the current owner some cash, which he rather needs.

The departure from Mercedes came for Schumacher still as a surprise. The seven-time world champion had not thought clearly about switching to another team. When asked if Schumacher is interested to continue his career with another racing team, his manager Sabine Kehm said on Friday: "This is no issue today."

Bernie apparently leaked the Hamilton to Mercedes story via Eddie Jordan. he also leaked Schumacher's retiring story... but now Schumacher's management is saying that his departure from Mercedes is a surprise? So how could he have planned retirement.

I don't think until we see headline confirmation of anything can we be sure.

Right, it's beginning to look to me like this whole thing has been triggered by McLaren deciding of their own volition to sign Perez, Hamilton activating his Merc offer as a result, and Schumacher being pushed out very hurriedly if it really is the case that Schumi saw none of this coming.

I wonder if the reason things are such a mess is because Schumacher was again rushed out of the way. Instead of being left to make up his own mind about retirement, maybe he's decided he's tired of being forced out of F1 and has recently decided to try and get another ride. It would explain why his management seem surprised...

Right, it's beginning to look to me like this whole thing has been triggered by McLaren deciding of their own volition to sign Perez, Hamilton activating his Merc offer as a result, and Schumacher being pushed out very hurriedly if it really is the case that Schumi saw none of this coming.

Possible. They were very quick to say Perez was signed, so it's no surprise to them. Can't blame them either really.

Perhaps they saw what Nicole has been up to, and thought better Perez than a 2011 Hamilton again.